National Republican., 1887-04-23
ALARM OF ENGLISH MILLERs.
They Demand Protection Against I'm
ported Flour.
[London Times, Mar. ~

London Times, Mar. ~
Yesterday an adjourned meeting OF the
London Flour Millers' Association was held
at 81 Mark Lane, "to consider the question
of the desirabllity of duty being imposed
upon imported -four" Mr.. E. II. Lightfout
I'M essrs. Simmons and Morten the vice
president Of the association, occupied the
chair, and in opening the proceedings said
tnat the chief cause Of the great depression
which now existed In the milling trade was
the large importation Of foreign flour, which,
he said, had been the means OF closing
several mills round about London, while the
remainder were only working half time.
The trade was In deplorable state. We
had had free trade for nearly forty years,
and he thought we were now beginning to
feel the effects OF it. He believed that
England was the only country in the world
which was not protected. Even our colonies
seemed to recognize protection. Canada
had free trade for five years and half, and
the people were nearly ruined; but since
they had had protection, from what he could
learn, there was hardly man IN the trade
who was not prospering. 1t seemed to him
that there should either be protection In
this country or else universal free trade. 1t
was essential for the purpose OF taxation to
tax certain commodities, aud he thought al
foreign commodities that came into this
country of the same quality or nature
that this country produced should be taxed.
Employment must be found for the working
classes. He proposed the following reso-
olutlon; "Owing to the great depression In
our manufacturing trade, caused chiefly by
the large importatioDs OF foreign hours
which have been the means OF closing several
mills, and others only working half time, 1t
Ia resolved that the National Association OF
British and Irish Nlillers should present
memorial to parliament praying for mod
crate duty on foreign fiours."
Mr.. Wilson Marriage, OF Colchester, said
he agreed with the resolution, but parlia-
ment before consenting to impose euch
duty would require some data. He had
been free trader as long as he could
remember, but the present position or the
milling trade throughout the country did
seem to call for some steps TO be taken.
He considered that that was an Injustice,
because they thus had an advantage over
the home manufacturer. He suggested
that the resolution should be amended 80 as
to empower the National Association to look
carefully into the matter and collect data.
MIR. Seth Taylor hoped the resolution
would be amended rs suggested. The fact
was that II was question Of free trade or
protection, aud he did not think the Hour
mllers alone would settle that matter. Per-
sonally, he inclined to free trade, but that
might be carried too far. He thought that
a small duty might be put on foreign goods
somewhat equivalent TO the heavy rates
and taxes We had to pay, 30 rs to place US
on more equal terms with the foreigner.
He would not, however, advocate anything
prohibtlye, or OF an absolutely protective
character, but he thought that II duty OF
a shilling a sack were put on foreign Hour
II would somewhat compensate for the ad- |
vantages which the foreign manufacturer
had in being able 10 send his goods TO our
market without contributing anything In
the shape of rates aud taxes.
Tho resolution was then amended by !